This exceptional river provides an ever popular fishery in the beautiful Wood River Valley about 2 1/2 hours east of Boise. Home to a healthy population of rainbows throughout, as well as a few browns below the town of Bellevue, Anglers find the often times eager trout a nice respite from the finicky trout of nearby Silver Creek. Indeed, the Big Wood is often the ace in the hole when conditions are less than ideal on other area waters such as Silver Creek.

Considered a freestone river, it is host to an impressive summer hatch season as well as a great midge fishery in the winter time. In fact, it is considered to be one of the best winter fisheries around.

During heavy water years, the Big Wood River may not be very fishable until almost July. When it is fishable, there is almost always a hatch occurring. Caddis hatches on this river can be impressive, as can various stoneflies and of course mayflies.

For the angler that wants to spend a couple of days in this beautiful area, a wide range of lodging and dining accommodations can be found in Bellevue, Hailey and Ketchum. Day trips can be made to the Little Wood, Silver Creek, Big Lost River, and Salmon River in the Stanley area, and many more areas of interest.